MARGAO/PANAJI: The Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai said that he will not support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) if it tries to ban beef in Goa like in other states.
Speaking to the media persons on the sidelines of his visit to Sonsoddo dumpsite on Tuesday, Sardesai said, “There will be no move to ban beef in Goa. We (Goa Forward) are very clear about it. BJP should know that it is part of a coalition government. I have spoken to the Chief Minister about it and he has agreed that it (banning of beef) cannot be done in Goa.”
He further said that BJP leader Subramanian Swamy cannot be the spokesperson of the coalition government in Goa led by Parrikar.
“In Goa, some Congress politicians are just trying to create panic in the minds of minorities. We are all Goykars, who are particular about the food habits. Minorities have their particular food habits, which are protected constitutionally. There is no need to panic. Beef ban cannot be imposed in Goa,” he voiced.
The minister recalled that Parrikar is on record in the House that “food habit is the personal issue and it cannot be the government subject for discussion.”
However, when asked as to whether it is unconstitutional to ban beef, and create law envisaging severe punishment as is done in
some states, Sardesai said he is not bothered about other states but only about Goa.
Meanwhile, condemning the statement made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy that Goan tradition would be changed, while replying to a question on the possibility of beef ban in Goa, state AAP convenor Elvis Gomes demanded a statement from Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar that his government will respect the socio-cultural ethos of the state.